Saul Gefen

THE FALLACY OF ABSOLUTE EGALITARIANISM BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

THE FALLACY OF ABSOLUTE EGALITARIANISM BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN, 2026

This paper examines what may be one of the most consequential and widely misunderstood interventi... more This paper examines what may be one of the most consequential and widely misunderstood interventions in the history of civilization: the Torah's reorientation of the status and role of women. The analysis proceeds in four stages. First, it reconstructs the legal and philosophical framework of ancient Egypt, the most sophisticated pre-modern civilization to accord women substantial civil autonomy, arguing that this autonomy, while real, was ultimately functional and naturalistic. Second, it traces the Torah's transformation of this framework, showing that the shift from the Nebet Per, literally "Mistress of the House" in ancient Egyptian to the Nevat Bayit ‫ַת(‬ ‫ְו‬ ‫נ‬

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Truth without Borders - Religious Violence and the Danger of Certainty

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Jacob's Ladder

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and... more And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." (Genesis The cultural divide between Greece and Israel does not begin with abstract questions of metaphysics, but with two fundamental postures of the learner: walking and sitting. Though they appear as simple physical positions, they embody two different and perhaps opposing patterns of wisdom concerning the nature of man, the source of knowledge, and the path by which one arrives at truth. In ancient Greece, the philosopher taught while walking. Walking was part of the pedagogy: it expressed the principle that the world itself is the source of wisdom, and that man must be situated within existence in order to learn its laws. Teaching while walking is considered one of the most distinctive symbols of Greek philosophical culture. This method is not a technical detail, but a profound expression of how the Greeks understood wisdom, the source of knowledge, and man's role within reality. Two central philosophers, Aristotle and Zeno of Citium, anchored this method in unique teaching frameworks, both based on the assumption that philosophical inquiry must begin from within the world itself, not from seclusion from it. Aristotle (384-322 BCE), founder of the Lyceum, established the "Peripatetic" teaching method, from the word peripatein, meaning to walk around. Historical evidence from the Aristotelian tradition teaches that his lessons took place literally while walking among the

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The Pen and the Sword: Shimon ben Shetach's Dual Strategy Against Magical Thinking

by Hershey H Friedman and Saul Gefen

This paper investigates Shimon ben Shetach's (c. 120-40 BCE) systematic campaign against sorcery ... more This paper investigates Shimon ben Shetach's (c. 120-40 BCE) systematic campaign against sorcery during his tenure as Nasi of the Sanhedrin. Drawing on Talmudic narratives, the study highlights his dual approach: direct confrontation, exemplified by the execution of 80 sorceresses in Ashkelon, and proactive preventive measures. His most significant achievement was the establishment of universal education for children, a recognition that widespread ignorance fostered superstitious practices. The paper further examines key incidents that illustrate his ethical resolve, courage in challenging royal authority, and personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice. Finally, incorporating Maimonides' philosophical insights, this study demonstrates how Shimon's anti-sorcery efforts fundamentally safeguarded Jewish monotheism against idolatrous influences, ultimately establishing educational foundations that proved more enduring than punitive actions alone.

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Sinai's Legacy: How the Torah Reshaped Human Society

by Hershey H Friedman and Saul Gefen

The Torah stands as a transformative text that has significantly shaped human history and busines... more The Torah stands as a transformative text that has significantly shaped human history and business practices. Written over three millennia ago, it established foundational ethical principles that remain relevant today. The document advanced revolutionary concepts including compassion for society's most vulnerable members, welcoming strangers, accountability in organizational leadership, purpose-driven governance, protection of animals, environmental conservation, commitment to social justice, humility in leadership, healing-centered solutions, the power of restorative practices, rejecting superstition, cultivating a direct relationship with God, and fundamental respect for human worth. These forward-thinking principles challenged existing social conventions and continue to influence the development of civilization and ethical business conduct.

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